The Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions has recommended the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) for six months following her petition accusing President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

The committee led by Edo Senator Neda Imasuen on Thursday said the female lawmaker “disrespected the institution” with her accusations and advised her to apologise to Mr Akpabio.

Mr Imasuen said that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension would be effective on March 6 and her office shut throughout her suspension.

The ethics committee further recommended that her salary and those of her aides be withheld, adding that her security details should be withdrawn for the time being. 

Mr Imasuen said the female lawmaker did not avail herself for a review to the committee and that her absence was tantamount to guilt.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan struck a nerve last Friday when she said Mr Akpabio made passes at her which she rejected. She alleged he was stung by her rejection and that he refused to let her raise a motion for Ajaokuta Steel Company, a matter that was important for her constituents.

But Mr Akpabio on Wednesday refuted the allegations, asserting that he was well brought up by his parents and would never make such moves outside his marriage.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition was rejected by Mr Imasuen on Wednesday who said it was “dead on arrival” because she signed it herself, contravening the Senate rules.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan re-submitted the petition on Thursday with signatures from members of her constituents and Mr Imasuen said the committee would look into it.

The Senate will discuss the recommendations from the ethics committee’s recommendations and decide their adoption or otherwise.